Objectives

Program objectives

To provide outstanding students with a strong background in neuroscience, including but not limited to, cellular and molecular neurobiology, fundamental and applied concepts of neuroimaging, neuropharmacology, and developmental neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on understanding disorders of the nervous system.
To train graduate students in experimental design and statistical analyses, and in the use of modern experimental protocols and methods in basic and applied neuroscience.
To train outstanding research scientists who can successfully develop careers dedicated to translating advances in basic neuroscience to understanding, treating and preventing clinical problems.
To encourage scholarly cooperation and to advance the scientific and professional status of translational neuroscience in the university and throughout the larger community.

Gain knowledge and understanding of basic sciences related to the neurobiology of the nervous system, brain disorders, diseases and injuries, fundamentals of neuroimaging techniques, and statistical approaches to modeling research data; all through a diverse didactic curriculum.
Develop skills in oral and written communication, including writing an NIH predoctoral fellowship grant application, critiquing and challenging basic and clinical research findings through journal club and seminar participation, and creating and delivering oral and poster presentations of their research (e.g., at local, national and international scientific meetings, and TNP seminars).
Design, develop and write a dissertation research prospectus with testable hypotheses and a rigorous experimental approach with guidance from an advisor and an advisory committee, conduct graduate-level research and exhibit advanced knowledge and expertise within their chosen research interest.